Communicator's Workshop

Description

COMMUNICATOR'S WORKSHOP
November 11-12, 2026 (W 2:30p-4:30p, Th 8:30a-3:00p)
MREA Office
Maple Grove, MN

AGENDA
Wednesday November 11
2:30    Welcome Intros
3:00    Social media can help cooperatives educate members, strengthen community relationships, share timely information and demonstrate the value of the cooperative — but only when content is created with a clear purpose. This practical workshop will help communicators make stronger decisions about their audience, platforms, messages, and content. Participants will explore how social media algorithms influence visibility, why some posts underperform and how copy, visuals, video, analytics, AI and thoughtful planning can improve results without creating an unmanageable workload.

Instructor: Jennifer Radke, SMS, is the CEO of the National Institute for Social Media and Online Marketing Certified Professionals. A Minnesota-based speaker, trainer and marketing strategist, she brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership, sales, education and digital communication. Known for her practical, audience-focused approach, Jen helps professionals and organizations use social media more purposefully. Her training equips communicators to strengthen their messages, make informed decisions, and build practices that are effective, authentic and manageable.  

Learning Objectives 
Participants will:

• Connect social media content to a clear communication goal and intended audience.
• Choose the most effective platform(s) and content format for each message.
• Understand how relevance, audience behavior and engagement influence content visibility.
• Strengthen posts with clearer copy, effective calls to action, visuals and short-form video.
• Use analytics to identify what is working, what is not and what to adjust.
• Use AI and planning tools responsibly while maintaining the cooperative’s voice and a sustainable workflow.

4:30    Adjourn
Informal Dinner Gathering TBD

Thursday November 12
8:30    Claim It, Name It and Frame It: Making Crisis Communication Work For Your Cooperative 
When you’re faced with the need to provide crisis communication and a communication strategy in a hurry — Claim It, Name It and Frame It: Making Crisis Communication Work For Your Cooperative presents a three-step process to turn a crisis situation into an opportunity to move you forward. By using easy-to-remember concepts and phrases (that conveniently rhyme), crisis communication management has never been so practical in design and delivery.

Instructor: Paul Omodt, the owner and principal of Omodt & Associates Critical Communications in Minneapolis, has been at the forefront of some of the highest-profile crises imaginable — from airplane crashes and labor strikes to massive data breaches and the 35W bridge collapse. Clients across the country turn to Paul for his strategic approach to managing crises when we are at our worst. With compelling case studies, anecdotes, and examples, Claim It, Name It & Frame It: Making Crisis Communication Work For You has engaged and provoked audiences across the country, leaving them thinking about crisis communications differently.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how critically defining a crisis at the outset can mean the difference between a short-lived, manageable issue and an enduring crisis that may define your cooperative for years to come.
• • Know how to claim your crisis and understand that successful crisis communications always start with the right first step and by claiming your crisis.
• Learn how harnessing the power of the human brain’s preferences and power during a crisis helps you manage your crisis to a successful outcome.
• Understand how strategic crisis communication counsel and implementation puts the right words, phrases and concepts in the minds of your audiences.
• Learn how to tell your crisis story on your terms.
• Recognize why an obscure office building has come to symbolize scandal — and know how to use this strategy to your benefit.
• Differentiate between words on paper and practical application of theory and neuroscience in your crisis communication planning.
• Integrate the most power communication theories when a crisis hits and know how selecting the right theory tells a better crisis story on behalf of your cooperative.
• Discover the power of living true to your cooperative’s principles when a crisis hits.
• Improve your ability to identify and communicate your message through the media to your final audiences.

12:00  Lunch
12:30  Roundtable
3:00    Adjourn

COST
Please see registration page for pricing

HOTEL
Holiday Inn & Suites Arbor Lakes
11801 Fountains Way
Maple Grove, MN 55369
763-425-3800
Booking Link

Event Policies
MREA Event Cancellation Policy (Link to Full Policy) updated 12.19.2025

MREA Event Code of Conduct (Link to Full Policy)
MREA is committed to providing a safe, productive and welcoming environment for all participants and staff in MREA meetings, conferences, training programs, and events both online and in-person. All Event participants including but not limited to attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, students, guests and vendors, are expected to abide by this MREA Event Code of Conduct, and this code applies to all space and situations in which MREA meeting-related activities are being conducted, including virtual meetings and those sponsored by organizations other than MREA but held in conjunction with MREA Events. Participation constitutes agreement to comply with the Code of Conduct as a condition of attendance. 

2026 Late Registration
All events in 2026 will be subject to a $50 late registration fee for anyone that registers 2 weeks prior to the published event dates.